If you find yourself in Cape Town’s Southern Suburbs in search of some good sushi, pay a visit to Salushi – an unsung hero that’s been quietly revolutionising Cape Town’s sushiscape on the other side of the mountain.
Also read: The best restaurants in Durbanville: On the valley’s acclaimed wine estates
Once a part of the group behind Mouille Point’s long-closed Wakame, the restaurant used to operate out of a bigger premises in Claremont. But since breaking away from the group, it’s downsized and found a new home in a light-filled Victorian house on Cavendish Street, opposite the shopping centre.
I never went to the former locale, but I get the feeling that the house is a much better fit for the business. It’s homely and intimate, and the owner, Grant Isaacs, is always there with a warm welcome and a dry sense of humour.
Because of this, Grant and his team have earned a loyal clientele of locals who fill the seats at every lunch and dinner service. They also swear by the superiority of the sushi, and some even go so far as to say it tops a well-regarded seafood stalwart at the V&A Waterfront. High praise, indeed!
But, after having lunch at Salushi, I think these patriotic patrons may well be on to something – this rolled-up rice ain’t just nice; it’s a serious contender for top sushi spot in Cape Town.
After my waiter, T-Jay, sorted me out with a glass of bubbly, I scanned the room. Big glass windows let in soft light from the streetside verandah, and an eclectic mix of decor, lighting and artwork lends a personal atmosphere to the elegant architecture.
One cosy corner is host to a canary yellow couch next to the building’s original fireplace, with a neon cat light taking pride of place above the mantel. Fuel Design’s cat logo, which appears everywhere from the menu to the serviettes, pays homage to Grant’s beloved cat, for whom the restaurant is named.
I leant over to ask my neighbours, who were clearly regulars, what’s good on the menu and was bombarded with a list of favourites as long as my arm. Overwhelmed with choices, I settled on the dishes with the most interesting names. The Ramaphosa, the Salmon Springboard and, because it’s my favourite, the Bamboo Roll.
No guesses as to who inspired The Ramaphosa, and yes, there is a story behind it. The dish was created with a diced salmon filling during desperate lockdown days when restaurants had to get creative with what they had. Despite its humble origins, The Ramaphosa made a name for itself when the team started tagging the South African president in all social posts mentioning the dish.
Eighteen pieces is way more sushi than I can get through in one sitting, but without any help, I just about cleaned up the entire platter, plus some edamame beans on the side. I came prepared with an empty stomach, but my gluttony came down to one thing: it was all just so well done, from the beautifully fresh seafood and the flavour pairings to the fluffy but firm rice.
While sushi is the major drawcard at Salushi, the kitchen serves up a solid Asian cuisine menu too, with big bowls of steaming noodles, fragrant Thai curries and delightful snacky stuff too, such as spring rolls and tempura prawns. The build-your-own poke bowls are also popular, especially during the warmer seasons in the Cape. For dessert, do not write off the deep-fried Lindt balls – those little bons bons have never tasted so good!
Details:
- Location: 6 Cavendish Street, Claremont, Cape Town
- Contact: 065 038 2106 | [email protected]
- Website: salushiexpress.co.za
- Times: Monday to Saturday, 12pm to 4pm and 6pm to 10pm | Sundays and public holidays, 12pm to 9pm
Also read:
Sushi restaurants in Cape Town: From the seaboard to the suburbs
Picture: Supplied
